Birbhum clash: Several policemen injured as miscreants hurl stones after earthmover accidentally dugs up soil covering grave
Times of India | 2 April 2026
KOLKATA: Several policemen, including an Officer-in-Charge (OC), were injured on Thursday when miscreants hurled stones at them in Birbhum district, West Bengal.
Shailendra Upadhyay, OC of Suri police station, was among those injured after the attackers threw stones and bricks at the police team in Kukhudihi village.
According to authorities, the incident was triggered when an earthmover engaged in construction near a graveyard accidentally dug into the soil covering a grave, sparking tensions in the area.
The earthmover operator was reportedly detained by a group of locals, sparking a confrontation between two factions from the same community, an officer said.
Police personnel initially arrived at the scene to calm the crowd and secure the release of the driver. However, the mob began hurling stones and bricks at the police team, injuring several officers, including the OC.
Senior officials, including SP Surya Pratap Yadav, later rushed to the village with additional forces to restore order and bring the situation under control.
"Fourteen persons have been arrested so far. Raids are underway and all those involved will be apprehended," Yadav said.
"Both groups involved in the clash belong to the same community," the SP added.
Police said the situation in the area is now under control, with deployment of forces continuing as a precautionary measure.